Rear Ended By Older Lady

[6thGen1419]

Yes and no. I am a generally nice person and show respect to others, but maybe unfit elderly drivers should be afraid of getting yelled at by strangers. Obviously many of them aren't capable of making good choices around driving. The next time this lady hits the gas instead of the brake maybe she is running over a kindergardner.

By not exchanging information, taking photos and reporting to insurance, and maybe filing a police report, you're actually enabling her from maybe running over a kindergartener in the future.

Instead of being mean to the little old lady, you could have treated her with compassion and kindness and done what you were supposed to do:

1. Pull over safely if possible.
2. Check for injuries and call 911 if anyone is hurt.
3. Exchange information:
   • Names and contact information
   • Driver’s license numbers
   • Insurance information
   • Vehicle registration information
4. Take photos:
   • Both vehicles from multiple angles
   • License plates
   • The accident scene
   • Any visible damage (or lack of damage)
5. Avoid admitting fault or arguing about fault at the scene.
6. Consider filing a police report, especially if required by state law or if the other driver later claims more extensive damage.
7. Notify your insurance company, even if you don’t plan to make a claim. This creates a record in case the other driver later alleges injuries or additional damage.

I was rear ended by a texting young woman last September and my truck was totaled, along with her car of course. Fortunately, no injuries. Completely her fault for texting while driving, but she was really upset and lucky to not be injured, even from her airbags deployments. Even though she was at fault and totaled my truck and I could have been injured, I was still kind to the young woman and tried to comfort her, she was really upset and shaken.

911 was called because at first we were not sure about injuries. Information was exchanged, insurance companies notified. She was cited and I suspect her punishment also eventually came from huge insurance premium increases, maybe even cancellation, who knows.

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[6thGen1419]

And I think she should have her license revoked.

Possibly, but by not notifying authorities, exchanging information, notifying insurance companies, it was assured that she received no consequences at all. Treating her cruelly accomplished nothing.

 

[6thGen1419]

I got rear ended by an older lady tonight. I was stopped at a stop light with my dog in the rear after just picking her up from the kennel after spending a 10 days in Maui. I got out she had a little dog in her lap and said I’m sorry I was thinking I was hitting the break but it was the gas. I was not very happy lucky with my lift and her in a smaller Subaru she just hit my bumper hitch so no damage to my 4Runner but her car it didn’t go so well. I was happy for see the front pushed in a lot, sorry if you don’t agree but damn don’t have your dog in your lap driving. We had a little bit of an argument and she yelled I am going to call the cops. I laughed and said go ahead you hit me damn ass. Thank you 4Runner for a nice strong bummer. As I was leaving I saw her start pulling away and then pulled to the side so I am not sure if she had more issues since I just headed home.

You left the scene. What is preventing that lady from claiming that you backed into her? You could be considered suspect and at fault for leaving the scene.

 

[NotApplicable]

Wow, 3 separate consecutive posts by the same person in the same thread… might be a record

That’s what I call an eLecture!

 

[828findadventure]

I'm sorry for your accident, it's such a pain and inconvenience until your vehicle is returned fixed. People don't realize the chain of events they just caused due to their negligence.

I live in an area where there are a lot of retired folks. We call them half-backs, because they moved from New York to Florida and then halfway back to North Carolina. These folks act very entitled and almost always drive at least five mph or more under the speed limit, and yes, a lot of them have their pet in their lap. It is really triggering when you need to get somewhere. That said, I have noticed that a lot of these elderly people driving these days can not perform behind the wheel due to medication, lack of mobility, or a pet in their lap, but I digress; it is what it is.

- Gen X speaking here.

 

[ScoMay]

HVLA is right. There could be some invisible damage.
Try to drop your spare for one.
Years ago my Gen 3 was hit from behind by a smaller vehicle and the hitch receiver assembly was pushed in, pinching the spare tire assembly.
Fortunately I had a police report so insurance covered it.
Not sure if a Gen 6 frame would allow the sane thing to happen. But try to lower your spare just to be sure.

 

[Joe Dirt]

One of these is always nice to have as a little cushion!

 

[SwampFox4R]

I'm sorry for your accident, it's such a pain and inconvenience until your vehicle is returned fixed. People don't realize the chain of events they just caused due to their negligence.

I live in an area where there are a lot of retired folks. We call them half-backs, because they moved from New York to Florida and then halfway back to North Carolina. These folks act very entitled and almost always drive at least five mph or more under the speed limit, and yes, a lot of them have their pet in their lap. It is really triggering when you need to get somewhere. That said, I have noticed that a lot of these elderly people driving these days can not perform behind the wheel due to medication, lack of mobility, or a pet in their lap, but I digress; it is what it is.

- Gen X speaking here.

100% agree on the half-backers. The situation is the same in Upstate SC. They are everywhere. In SC, I believe if the damage is >$1000 you have to file a police report. Sounds like the lady would’ve sustained $1000 worth of damage and then some. Getting the police involved also protects you from future courtroom problems.

- Another Gen Xer

 

[Oldhoosier]

Next time you get into an argument with an elderly person, pretend that it's your grandmother or father you're yelling at. She was confused and upset and you didn't help the matter. Be the bigger person. Laughing at her and walking away is incredibly immature.

Yeah, I'm older than most on this forum but I also spend quite a bit of time at the local Assisted Living facility visiting my FIL who's 94. A lot of great older people there but they confuse easily.

BTW, leaving the scene of an accident involving another vehicle like that without exchanging info is a violation in most states. I hope she got your license number.

 

[828findadventure]

100% agree on the half-backers. The situation is the same in Upstate SC. They are everywhere. In SC, I believe if the damage is >$1000 you have to file a police report. Sounds like the lady would’ve sustained $1000 worth of damage and then some. Getting the police involved also protects you from future courtroom problems.

- Another Gen Xer

Yes, I always assume when someone doesn't want to file a police report that they don't have insurance.

 

[828findadventure]

One of these is always nice to have as a little cushion!

They just steer to the right or left and cause quarter-panel damage. Happened on another vehicle of mine, and they even admitted they didn't want to hit the hitch, so they steered into the corner, which caused more damage.

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